Valentine Hooters

I knew that my January card class was really our only chance for Valentine's Day cards because next month is just too close to the holiday. So, we did two Valentine's cards. One I have already shown and the other is one that I saw on Tamie Ackerson's blog. She had CASE'd it from someone else. I do not know who originally created these adorable "little hooters", so please let me know if it was you so I can give you the credit.

I always try to incorporate one punch card in my class and when I saw this card, I knew I need not look any further:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Filled With Love

Cardstock: Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Shimmery White

Ink: Cherry Cobbler

Accessories: Big Shot with Finial Press Textured Impressions Folder, 2-Step Bird Punch, Owl Punch, Small Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, 2 1/2-inch Circle Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, Tombo Multi-purpose Glue

Aren't they the just the cutest couple??? LOL! The first time I saw them, I fell in love!!! They cast an adorable silhouette against the shimmery moon. And it is such an easy way to add the owls to your card. You don't have to glue on all the little pieces for the eyes and the little coat and all that stuff! Sometimes I just suffer too badly from "fat finger syndrome" and need an easier way to get what I want - and I wanted something with these little "hooters." This card was just the ticket :) Tamie had done it for an anniversary. I am not sure what it was originally created for but I thought they made the perfect Valentine's couple.

I used glue dots to attach the skinny branches and the owls. I added the layered scalloped oval with a dimensional and found it much easier to attach the tiny heart using the Tombo Multi-purpose Glue (it was actually a little smaller than my glue dots). The picture just doesn't do the richness of the Cherry Cobbler justice. I love the deep velvetty shade of red that it adds - fast becoming my favorite red (as if you didn't already know that).

Thanks so much for coming by today and allowing me to share my "hooters" with you - keep it clean :) LOL!! 'Til next time.......................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Herb Expressions Lattice Card

It has been quite awhile since I made a lattice card. I just love the look of this style of card. I remember the ladies in my card class back home loving them too, so I decided to introduce my new class to them :). I am happy to announce......they liked it as well! I was so glad they did - they are simple to make and very cool.

For this one, I dug out a stamp set that I love (yes, another one!!...lol) - Herb Expressions. I used some of the new Sweet Stitches DSP from the Occasions Mini catalog to come up with this:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Herb Expressions

Cardstock: SoSaffron, Rich Razzleberry, Wild Wasabi, Whisper White, Sweet Stitches Designer Series Paper

Ink: Basic Gray, Rich Razzleberry

Accessories: Rich Razzleberry 5/8-inch Satin Ribbon, Markers - Wild Wasabi, So Saffron

To make the "lattice", you simply cut short diagonal lines along the folded edge of your card and fold the little flap created by them down toward the bottom of the card. They stay down on their own when the card is folded so there is no need to glue them. This is how it looks close up:

Isn't it cute? I learned how to make these at a card class I went to when I first got started with Stampin' Up. We sometimes learn so much that we put things away and tend to forget about them for awhile. Sometimes, it is just plain fun to go back and dust things off for a fresh "new" look :) My next step will be going through some old files to see what other "prizes" I have tucked away that I could be sharing with all of you.

Thanks for stopping by today and sharing this one with me. I hope it inspires you to dig out some of your hidden treasures to share with others :) 'Til next time................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Easter Blossoms

First of all, I need to report that Maria Vandeform accepted my gift of a free pass to the next UStamp event. So, if you left a comment with your blog address, have no fear. If I am lucky enough to be invited back again, I will have another chance to give a pass :)

Now for a new card. I just love, love, love the Easter Blossoms stamp set in the new Occasions Mini catalog. I used for my project in the current UStamp event and for my card class I created this using the branch image:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Easter Blossoms

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, Very Vanilla

Ink: Basic Gray

Accessories: Big Shot with Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder, Blushing Bride 1/2-inch Stitched Poly Ribbon, Markers - Crumb Cake and Pink Pirouette, Stampin' Dimensionals

I think it is so funny how most of us SU demonstrators were not too fond of the Kraft color of paper, but now that it has been renamed "Crumb Cake" we just can't get enough of it :) LOL!! I used to use it now and then but find myself picking it up a lot lately...too funny! Guess it's all in the name :)

I really like the images in this stamp set. This branch is so soft and the flowers are very dainty. And the silhouette of that little girl is awesome!! This will, no doubt, become a favorite that I will keep and use for a long time to come. But, for now, thanks for stopping by so I could share it with you. 'Til next time.....................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

SO EXCITED!!

I am so excited to have been asked to do another UStamp with Dawn and Friends event!!! This one will showcase stamp sets and accessories from the 2010-2011 Idea Book & Catalog along with the Occasions Mini and Sale-a Bration brochure. You will receive 40 projects plus coordination cards and envelopes!!

This event is going to be so much fun!! I have already started my project along with all of the other designers. Watch for your chance to sign up for it on the UStamp website soon or join the YEBO event today and get in on an early bird special (until January 14th) for the next round!!

I will be giving away a free pass as a RAK. I have already been blog surfing and offered it to a "new friend". If she accepts, I will post her name soon. If she does not, I will be looking to find another "friend". Leave me a comment with your blog address just in case :)

Friends Never Fade

I know everyone across the nation is feeling some affect from winter right now so I thought I would bring a touch of spring to my card class this month. One of my favorite Designers Series Papers (I know - I have lots of favorites..lol) is the Greenhouse Gala collection. It coordinates with so many colors! What I like best about it, is that you can even find ways to use it with colors that are not part of the description for it.

It also coordinates with the Friends Never Fade stamp set which makes it nice. You only have to have one dsp, a couple of core colors, and one stamp set to create beautiful cards. But, I added one other stamp set to come up with this:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Friends Never Fade, Full of Life

Cardstock: Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist, Whisper White

Ink: Daffodil Delight, Marina Mist

Accessories: Marina Mist 1/8-inch Taffeta Ribbon, 1 3/8-inch Square Punch, Stampin' Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

I really wish we had a 1 1/2-Square Punch. It would have made for less cutting with this card :) I added the blossom squares with dimensionals and the bow with a glue dot. I always think this image looks more like an artichoke than a blossom..lol! Some of the Designer Series Paper has the image on it, too. That is what makes this coordinating set so appealing. You can have the stamped image on your background with no effort :)

This was another of those CAS (Cute and Simple) cards that we love making in my class. I hope you enjoyed it and that it brought a ray of sunshine and thoughts of spring to you today. Thanks for stopping by to share with me. 'Til next time................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Notably Ornate and Blogger Award

Before I show you the card I chose for today, I would like to thank my good friend, Lynn Schulz, for this wonderful blog award!! I am so honored that she chose me to receive this.




I visit Lynn's blog often along with many others by people back home. It makes me feel like we are keeping in touch :) Thank so much, Lynn!! For accepting this, there are a couple of things I need to do. First, I need to tell you 8 things about myself that you may not know. So, here goes:

1. Before I fell in love with stamping, I owned my own craft business. I made dolls and home decor items from cloth and wood and wholesaled them to local craft businesses.

2. When I was young, I was scared to death to talk in front of people. But, I let my best friend talk me into signing up for Drama class in high school and have not been the same since :) Just try to keep my quiet now...lol!!

3. I am a certified Insight Learning Facilitator and love to conduct professional development workshops with groups.

4. My true passion is community service and my dream job is an event planner for a non-profit organization. I have volunteered with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society since 2001.

5. I love the music from the 1970's and sing it as loud as I want to in my car with the windows rolled up :)

6. I would like to take a photography class so I can learn to take awesome pictures.

7. I cannot eat a bagel without cream cheese - it just seems un-American to me :)

8. I also do direct sales as a crew member of Noah's Ark Animal Workshop - a build-a-bear workshop in your home.

Now I have to pass this award onto 8 other "Stylish Bloggers". Here are my choices:

June Switzer http://www.stampinwithjune.blogspot.com/

Kelly Mayou http://www.weekendstamper.blogspot.com/

Jamie Adcock http://www.want2bcreative.blogspot.com/

Rebecca Ingalls-Fleet http://www.scrappywonder.blogspot.com/

Marisol Gutierrez http://www.atouchofsol.blogspot.com/

Kirsten Brown http://www.imstampinsilly.blogspot.com/

Sharon Field http://www.createdbyu.blogspot.com/

Becky Roberts http://www.inkingidaho.blogspot.com/


I get so much inspiration from all of these ladies!! I hope you will visit their blogs. So, now for today's card. I made this for my swap partner, Betty Traciak, in the UStamp event I am currently a Guest Designer in. It's funny because I didn't "meet" Betty until I moved to California and she actually lives about an hour from where I lived in Michigan. Small world!! This is the card I sent her:





The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Notably Ornate

Cardstock: Blushing Bride, Early Espresso, Certainly Celery, Perfect Plum, Very Vanilla

Ink: Early Espresso, Perfect Plum

Accessories: Certainly Celery 1 1/4-inch Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, Chantilly Lace Trim, Stampin' Dimensionals, Basic Pearls, Modern Label Punch

I love the "old world" feel of this stamp set. I think it would be really cool paired with the "postcard" image from Winter Post too. I am going to have to try that :) I also did the card with my card class in January. I think it is a nice breath of spring. Blushing Bride is quickly becoming my favorite shade of pink - it coordinates so well with lots of the core colors.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I hope you enjoyed the card and that you will get some inspiration from the same places I do. 'Til next time.................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Be My Valentine

In my card class this month, I decided to do a couple of Valentine's Day cards since this is really the only chance we will have to do them (next month's class is only 2 days before it). I love the single stamps that Stampin' Up sells now because they are an inexpensive way to make very nice cards.

In the Occasions Mini catalog, there are 4 new single stamps - one for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Mother's Day, and a very cute little "handmade by" stamp for personalizing your cards. They are all just tooo cute! I chose the Be My Valentine stamp set to make this:

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Be My Valentine

Cardstock: Real Red, Whisper White, Red Glimmer Paper

Ink: Riding Hood Red

Accessories: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Small Heart Punch, Real Red 3/8-inch Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots

I absolutely LOVE the Glimmer Paper in the new mini catalog! It is a 12x12 sheet of glitter that does not end up everywhere but on the paper :) And it is a super easy way to add some extra bling to your Valentine's Day cards. It is soooo sparkly when the light hits it - gorgeous!!! When we initially made this card, we attached the stamped piece just using our snail but I found this morning that it isn't sticking so well. So, I would advise you to attach anything on top of this glimmer paper with glue dots. They hold much better! I will have to be sure to let my class attendees know that. I decided to use Riding Hood Red for my ink rather than Real Red because it doesn't seem to smear as easy. For some reason, Real Red takes a bit longer to dry and I usually end up touching it too soon and have a mess :) This particular shade worked perfectly with this card because the ribbon is more opaque than most so there was a natural "blending" of the reds.

I have lots more cards to share with you that use the fun products from the Occasions Mini that I will post throughout the week. Thanks for stopping by today and sharing some Valentine's wishes. 'Til next time....................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!

Building and Creating Cupcakes

First of all, I must apologize for this picture. Even the natural light of day outside is not too bright today in what used to be "sunny" California :) It is just cloudy and rainy and dreary :( So, any picture I take is coming out a little on the dark side.

This is one of the cards we made at the birthday party last week. I used the designer series paper from the Filled with Love Bundle that is available until January 24th and we used the wonderful new Build a Cupcake Punch. Oh my gosh, this thing is soooo much fun!!!! You can just punch out all of the pieces you need to create the cutest little cupcakes on your cards. See the cherry on top? And, it even cuts out little candles with flames!! It is just toooo sweet for words :) You will be able to purchase it tomorrow when the Occasions Mini catalog goes live. We also used the coordinating stamp set called Create a Cupcake. I am going to have a blast with these over the next few months for sure!!

The complete list of supplies:

Stamp Set: Create a Cupcake

Cardstock: Pink Pirouette, Early Espresso, Real Red, Whisper White, Filled with Love DSP

Ink: Early Espresso

Accessories: Build a Cupcake Punch, Stamping Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots

I attached the cherry with a mini glue dot because that was the only adhesive I could really add to it. Even that was tough because that little thing is just about the same size as the dot :) But, it just had to go on the top of that cupcake!!

I'm sure there are many designers out there who will come up with some really innovative ways to use the pieces from this punch. I even have an idea for one of them.....stay tuned for more on that one :) The designer series paper in this bundle is actually the same prints as the ones found in our color selection paper packs. You just get more of it and just in Pretty in Pink and Real Red for Valentine's Day. It can purchased separately during the promotion as well. So, if these are colors you regularly use all of the time, it is a great way to stock up :) Click HERE tomorrow to purchase yours.

Thank you so much for stopping by today and sharing this fun birthday card. I wish you all many cupcakes in 2011 :) 'Til next time..............................

Happy Stamping,

Laurie

Remember to get your mammogram!